Sweden's NATO accession was approved by Hungary's parliament, making Sweden the 32nd member of the alliance. The move came after months of delays and pressure from NATO allies, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Key Points
Sweden's membership in NATO is a significant expansion for the alliance
President Putin's actions in Ukraine inadvertently led to Sweden's accession
Turkey and Hungary had objections that needed to be addressed before ratification
Pros
Enhanced security within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Simplified defence planning and cooperation on NATO's northern flank
Access to resources like cutting-edge submarines and domestically produced fighter jets
Cons
Pressure from NATO allies to fall in line with accession
Delays in the process due to objections raised by Turkey and Hungary